May.12, 2010, 02:50:33 PM PDT, Source: The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO—A Chinese man has been convicted of trying to smuggle restricted U.S. military equipment to his native Macau.
A federal jury in San Diego convicted Chi Tong Kuok Tuesday of conspiracy, money laundering, smuggling and attempting to export defense articles without a license.
Kuok allegedly tried to buy and smuggle communications, encryption and GPS equipment used by the United States and NATO militaries.
Prosecutors say Kuok contacted a British company in 2006 and tried to obtain items made by a Carlsbad defense contractor. U.S. authorities were notified and set up a two-year sting investigation.
Kuok, who's 42, was arrested last June. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of money laundering.
A call to his attorney, Todd W. Burns, wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.